Twenty-five staff members of the National Fishery and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), and the Liberia Artisanal Fishermen Association (LAFA), departed the country, on July 16 for Xiamen, Fujian province to participate in a month long training course mariculture.

The participants at the reception dinner

The training is being provided by Chinese government, through its Embassy commercial office in Monrovia. The course will focus on culture technology for "Fish, Shrimps, Shellfish and Crabs", and will be conducted through lectures, and practical exercise.

The month long training is also aimed at enhancing participants' theoretical knowledge and practical skills in maricutlure, strengthening the friendly exchanges between China and Liberia, and expanding cooperation between the two nations in the marine fishery.

It will take place at the Fujian Institute of Oceanography (FJIO), located in Xiamen city – a special economic zone lying in the southeastern coast of China.

Speaking at a dinner held Monday evening, China Embassy Commercial Counselor Li Jiang said that China is strengthening collaboration with countries, and the training is part of the eight major initiatives announced at the FOCAC Beijing Summit held in September 2018.

He told the gathering that China and Liberia have traditional friendly relationship, and many of Chinaid projects in Liberia, including the ministerial complex, new airport terminal are near completion. He indicated that China is also planning new projects of infrastructures that will help improve the economic development of Liberia.

More opportunities, he said have been provided to Liberians for training opportunities in the last five years, with the number reaching over 1,000 personnel of the government. He assured Liberians that China will strengthen capacity building and the scale of Chinaid for Liberia.

For his part, NaFAA Deputy Director General for Technical Services William Boeh lauded China for the training opportunities for Liberians. He urged the participants to make an impact upon their return to the country.

Participant Monibah Leo Keymah said they are grateful for the training course in mariculture, adding that the participants appreciate the win-win cooperation between China and African countries.

The participants will also travel to cities including: Beijing, Wuyishan, Jinjiang, Quanzhou, Dongshan county and Zhangpu county.